By Chris Taylor
Metropolis, IL – Consulting engineers say Metropolis, Illinois should include sewer projects that may not happen immediately in a proposal to separate its combined sewer system. The current system combines rainfall runoff with sewage and heavy rains prompt overflows into the Ohio River. Consultant Joe Matesevac tells the Paducah Sun the city's proposal needs to include maintenance and potential expansion costs, estimated at nearly $23 million, because the project will be completed over a 15 year period. Sewer rates are expected to rise to pay for the work. Illinois' Environmental Protection Agency has set a deadline in mid-July for Metropolis to adopt a plan.